Harry Glatz

Obituary of Harry E. Glatz

Harry E. Glatz, 92, of 175 Aldren Ave. formerly of 1723 S. Main St. Ext., passed away peacefully early Sunday morning, July 12, 2020. A lifelong Jamestown resident, he was born January 7, 1928, the son of late Harry E. and Alice L. Samuelson Glatz, Sr. Harry grew up during the Great Depression and graduated Jamestown High School (JHS) in 1945. He attended the College of Wooster in Ohio, and completed his BS and DDS at the Case Western Reserve Dental School in 1951. After meeting in Cleveland during dental school, Harry married the love of his life, Gloria S. "Dodie" Schmidt, on June 10, 1950 and spent 67 wonderful years together before her passing on September 8, 2017. For two years he was a dentist in the US Air Force at the Patrick AFB in Florida. After he served, he returned to Jamestown and practiced dentistry from 1953-1996. Always active in the community, he served as President of the JHS Alumni Association, was instrumental in orchestrating Alumni reunions for the Class of '45, and held various chairs in the 100 Member Club, JHS's alumni group. He served as president of the board at the Prendergast Free Library. He was also a member of the First Presbyterian Church. In the 1960's and 70's he became a Special Fields member of the International Transactional Analysis Association and he went on to teach "I'm OK - You're OK" postgraduate courses at dental schools across the country. After his son Bruce became permanently disabled due to a brain infection in 1980, he volunteered at The Resource Center of Jamestown, where he later served as President of the Board of Directors. He received the 2010 Lifetime Achievement Award from the Resource Center. Harry was a lifelong performance artist. He acted at the Little Theatre of Jamestown, performing in Music Man, Annie, Hello Dolly, Gliders, and Plaza Suite. For over 30 years he sang in the Jamestown Harmony Express and the Silvertones quartet as a barbershop singer. After he retired from dentistry, he became a magician and would perform magic at the barbershop concerts. About eleven years ago, Harry and Dodie moved to the Edgewood Community on the Lutheran Campus. He continued to be involved by becoming the Commissioner for the Men's Pool League. He also continued to teach courses on "I'm OK - You're OK.". He is survived by a son Jay S. Glatz of Lawrence, KS and a daughter, Kim E. (Nick) Majetich of Carmichael, CA; five grandchildren, Katie, Andrea (JC) and Greg (Patty) Glatz, Grant (Danielle) Majetich, and Kristen (Michael) Marqua; and two great-grandchildren, Della and Coral Glatz. Besides his wife, Harry was preceded in death by his son, Bruce R. Glatz, September 25, 2014, and his adopted sister, Marie Glatz, in 1988. As Wayne Hotelling, long time Resource Center board colleague and friend once stated "[Harry] is a gracious, thoughtful, multi-talented, imaginative, sensitive and supportive person with a positive attitude and a wonderful sense of humor. A man, who once you meet him, makes a difference in your life. A man of vision and outstanding character -- Harry Glatz – husband, father, grandfather and friend." Due to the restriction of the pandemic, a celebration of life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to honor Harry be made to The Resource Center, 200 Dunham Ave., Jamestown, NY 14701; or to First Presbyterian Church, 509 Prendergast Ave., Jamestown, NY 14701.
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